Thursday, April 16, 2009

Over the next five years, the UK will be offering subsidies of £2000 - £5000 ($3,000 - $7,500) towards buying their first electric or plug-in hybrid electric cars. However, they don't expect these cars (the Volt, for instance) to hit the UK until 2011.

The funding is part of the £250 million program to 'deliver a green motoring transformation' and cut carbon emissions. Not all electric and plug-in hybrids would qualify, however. The Dept of Transportation notes the vehicles must meet modern safety standards and have a range and top speed sufficient to give mass market appeal.

"Cutting road transport CO2 emissions is a key element to tackling climate change," said Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon. "Less than 0.1% of the UK's 26 million cars are electric, so there is a huge untapped potential to reduce emissions.

"The scale of incentives we're announcing today will mean that an electric car is a real option for motorists as well as helping to make the UK a world leader in low carbon transport."

£20 million is also being set aside to provide for charging points and related infrastructure needed to develop a network of 'electric car cities' throughout the UK.

This money is in addition to the £400 million set to support development and uptake of ultra low emission vehicles.

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